Night of the Apocalypse

After a chase, Tang Kexin, who was running for her life, heard the footsteps behind her growing closer.

She didn’t panic; instead, she deduced that there was only one cleaner left.

At that moment, a T-shaped fork in the path appeared in front of her. Without hesitation, Tang Kexin made a sharp turn to the right and dashed inside.

Unfortunately, she was still a step too slow. The pursuing cleaner saw her turn in and immediately followed.

Clank!

The sound of pursuit grew ever nearer.

As Tang Kexin ran, she glanced back and noticed that the cleaner was almost upon her.

When she turned back around, she was taken aback to find that she had run into a dead end.

Tang Kexin immediately stopped. She looked to the sides, only to see walls on both sides, three meters wide and four to five meters high; there was no way she could climb up.

At this moment, the cleaner had caught up, blocking Tang Kexin’s escape as it approached step by step, raising the dark muzzle of its gun.

Tang Kexin stared at the black muzzle, instinctively backing away until she hit the wall behind her.

The infrared aiming device on the cleaner’s head pinpointed a red dot right on Tang Kexin’s forehead.

Her delicate face showed a hint of fear.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out.

The cleaner’s head exploded as Shen Qiu appeared behind it, holding his gun and taking it down with a single shot.

While escaping, Shen Qiu had heard gunfire in this area and deliberately moved closer, saving Tang Kexin just in time.

Shen Qiu immediately lowered his gun and turned to leave, showing no interest in collecting any spoils.

He had fired a shot here, and the sound would attract more cleaners. If nothing unexpected happened, a whole swarm would be on their way shortly.

Tang Kexin rushed over and chased after Shen Qiu.

Shen Qiu ignored Tang Kexin, who was chasing after him, and quickly maneuvered through the narrow alley, occasionally climbing over collapsed walls.

At this time, the cleaners searching the area were also closing in on this side.

From above, it was evident that the cleaners were gathering and gradually forming an encirclement.

Like threading a needle, Shen Qiu managed to slip out before they could complete the surrounding formation.

However, even after escaping the encirclement, Shen Qiu did not slow down his pace. He glanced back at the pursuing Tang Kexin and then turned into a side alley, intending to part ways with her.

Unfortunately, Tang Kexin followed closely without hesitation, sticking to him like a stubborn adhesive that couldn’t be shaken off.

Shen Qiu furrowed his brow and ultimately came to a stop, turning around.

Soon, Tang Kexin caught up and stood in front of him, her fair face breaking into a beautiful smile as she spoke slowly and sweetly, “Senior.”

“Don’t follow me. We’re done here,” Shen Qiu replied coldly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tang Kexin answered softly.

Seeing that Tang Kexin refused to admit anything, Shen Qiu didn’t say much more and turned to walk forward again.

It was obvious; they were the only two living people in this area. If she hadn’t broken the window, who else could have?

Tang Kexin quietly followed behind him.

After a short while, Shen Qiu slipped into an unremarkable house. He carefully searched the interior and confirmed that there was no danger inside.

Finding a corner, he sat down against the wall to rest.

At this point, Tang Kexin approached Shen Qiu and slowly sat down, quietly watching him.

Shen Qiu ignored her, closing his eyes to take a brief nap and regain some energy. The previous high-intensity escape had drained his stamina significantly.

Time passed little by little.

The house was unusually quiet, with only the sound of their breathing breaking the silence.

Gurgle~

At this moment, Shen Qiu’s stomach let out an untimely growl, shattering the stillness.

“Are you hungry?”

Tang Kexin asked softly.

Shen Qiu opened his eyes and glanced at Tang Kexin but did not respond.

“I have something to eat.”

Tang Kexin then opened her bag and took out a piece of roasted meat that was a golden brown, offering it to Shen Qiu.

Shen Qiu looked at the meat she handed over, his pupils constricting as he hoarsely replied,

“I’m not eating!”

Hearing Shen Qiu’s words, Tang Kexin spoke slowly,

“Up until now, I haven’t found any food in this city. If you don’t eat, you’ll starve to death.”

“I don’t need it!”

Shen Qiu replied curtly.

Tang Kexin put the meat back into her bag and said to Shen Qiu,

“Senior, you can still hold on for now, but your physical strength will decline more and more as time goes on. Although your physique is stronger than average, you can’t hold out for long.”

“I’m not at my limit yet; I won’t cross my bottom line.”

With that, Shen Qiu got up and walked outside.

Tang Kexin followed him and said softly,

“Senior, take me with you. As a helpless girl, I can’t survive on my own.”

“I don’t think you’re a weak woman,” Shen Qiu replied, his lips twitching slightly.

“If it weren’t for you saving me, I would have died long ago. I won’t hold you back. Just take me with you, okay, Senior?”

Tang Kexin’s voice was very soft; if it were someone else, their heart would have melted by now.

However, Shen Qiu remained unmoved. Others might not know what kind of person Tang Kexin was, but he was well aware.

In comparison, this woman was even more dangerous than he was. While his mental state was unstable, it was at least based on having been stimulated by external factors.

Tang Kexin was different. From what he knew, she had grown up in a large family filled with deception, and she was the least favored one, often bullied. This had twisted her psyche, leading her to frequently dissect cute little animals.

At first, Shen Qiu didn’t know any of this. It wasn’t until one time after school when he saw some girls surrounding her, trying to snatch her pet cat, that he began to understand.

As Tang Kexin tried to evade them, she just happened to hide behind him.

He intervened, but all the girls accused Tang Kexin of being a pervert.

At the time, Shen Qiu didn’t really believe them and was just about to ask for clarification when Tang Kexin took the opportunity to run away.

Later, one time by the river, Shen Qiu accidentally saw Tang Kexin. He remembered clearly that her hands were covered in blood as she laughed while dissecting the cat.

At that moment, Shen Qiu understood: the one with the real problem was Tang Kexin.

He coldly responded,

“Why choose to follow me? Wouldn’t it be better with someone else?”

“You will always be my first choice and the only one. I will choose you again and again, without hesitation,” Tang Kexin said slowly and firmly, her face breaking into a radiant smile.

Shen Qiu felt no emotion in response to Tang Kexin’s words; instead, he felt as though he was being targeted.

“I don’t want to be with you.”

“Being together gives us a better chance of surviving,” Tang Kexin replied with a smile.

After a few minutes of silence, Shen Qiu finally spoke up.

“You can follow me for now, but once we are safe, don’t follow me anymore.”

“Okay, where are we going now, Senior?” Tang Kexin asked softly.